Oracle—A Relational Database

Relational databases are simply a way of accessing and merging data together where the end user does not need to know how the data will be extracted by the computer. A relational database differs from other kinds of data retrieval methods in that the end user needs only to have an understanding of the data, not an understanding of how to retrieve the data.

Other data retrieval methods include hierarchical and network database systems. Hierarchical data retrieval systems such as ISAM and VSAM are traditionally accessed via COBOL programs in a mainframe environment. Network data retrieval systems such as DMSII (Burroughs), IMS, and IDMS (IBM Mainframe Systems) are also traditionally accessed with a COBOL program utilizing ...

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